Projects for Garden Lattices & Fences

Lattice adds a decorative touch to privacy fences.

Wood lattice is a versatile material capable of performing many roles in the garden. It can be purely decorative or it can serve as a plant support or privacy screen. Fences, screens, trellises and arbors are all structures that can take advantage of the attractive functionality of lattice and all of these structures are accessible building projects for the resourceful gardener.

Trellises

Wood lattice can be used as a simple trellis or screen fence that stands on its own in the garden. This kind of lattice fence functions as a visual accent for nearby plantings and it can also serve as a support for larger or climbing plants. The lattice itself will provide a moderate degree of shade and privacy, and as the season progresses and foliage on the trellis fills in, the structure will function more effectively as a privacy screen. A simple trellis screen can be made with a lattice panel enclosed in a frame of 1-by-4-inch lumber and attached to vertical posts that are securely anchored in the ground.

Arbors

Arbor designs that incorporate lattice panels also offer support for climbing plants with the additional benefit of allowing plants to climb over the top of the arbor, which helps the arbor to define a space within the garden. When an arbor frames an opening in a fence, the structure marks the point of transition through the fence and emphasizes the distinction between the spaces on each side of the fence. A rustic arbor can be constructed with two trellises joined by arching branches over the top. A more formal arbor project uses prefabricated arch members to link the trellises, with horizontal slats extending across the space between the arches to provide support for plants.

Lattice Fences

When used as a fence panel, lattice strikes a balance between providing privacy and allowing the passage of light and air through the fence. Lattice panels built into frames made from one-by-four lumber are attractive in their own right, and they can also serve as a complementary backdrop for plantings. Like free-standing trellises, lattice fences can function as support for climbing plants, as well, and their value as a privacy fence increases as the foliage fills in. A basic lattice fence project involves building the lattice panels and attaching them between vertical fence posts. Purchasing prefabricated lattice panels makes the project even easier.

Fence Tops

When privacy is more of a concern and the moderate amount of privacy afforded by lattice is not enough, a solid privacy fence can be topped with a lattice panel. In this case, the lattice adds a decorative element to the fence at the same time that it allows some light through the otherwise solid fence. Adding a small pergola above the lattice panel provides a space for trailing plants as well as some shade. The fence-top panels can be made in the same way as lattice fence panels, with lattice enclosed in a 1-by-4-inch wood frame and attached between posts that extend above the top of the privacy fence.

About the Author

Evan Gillespie grew up working in his family's hardware and home-improvement business and is an experienced gardener. He has been writing on home, garden and design topics since 1996. His work has appeared in the South Bend Tribune, the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, Arts Everywhere magazine and many other publications.